Olympic Trials- The Finalists

Olympic Trials- The Finalists … with one to come

Flyweight contender Virginia Fuchs had her night of relentless technical execution and determination that led to the 2-1 unseating of the 2012 bronze medalist Marlen Esparza.

Reigning Olympic gold medalist in the middleweight division Claressa Shields had her 3-0 night, fending off her challenger, Tika Hemingway, who’d loudly proclaimed that she’d take it from her. Shields had other plans and after outboxing Hemingway with an impressive performance, became the United States only two-time female boxing Olympian.

And lightweight upstart, 18-year-old Jajaira Gonzales, pushed the envelope in her win over Mikaela Mayer to make it one a piece. Today’s box-off will decide which of these two warriors will represent the United States in the Olympic qualifiers next year. Both fighters bring a lot to the contest. Mayer has strong technical abilities and with her longer reach can box tall, whereas Gonzalez brings aggression, pressure and fast hands that seem relentless. For all her youth, Gonzales has won impressive international titles readily matching Mayer’s competitive fire.

Stand ready to applaud them all!

Olympic Trials for Women’s Boxing Results
112 lbs: Virginia Fuchs, Kemah, Texas, dec Marlen Esparza, Houston, Texas, 2-1

132 lbs: Jajaira Gonzalez, Glendora, Calif., dec Mikaela Mayer*, Los Angeles, Calif., 3-0

165 lbs: Claressa Shields, Flint, Mich., dec Tika Hemingway, Brackenridge, Pa., 3-0

*This is Mikaela Mayer’s first loss. Championship box-off between Jajaira Gonzalez and Mikaela Mayer will take place at 4:00 PM on Sunday, November 1 at the Cook Convention Center South Hall.

Tagged: 2012 Women’s Olympic Boxing, 2016 Women’s Olympic Boxing, Alex Love, Amanda Pavone, Amelia Mo, amie Mitchell, Boxing, Christina Cruz, Cierra Taylor, Claressa Shields, Danyelle Wolf, female boxing, Franchon, Franchon Crews, Giovanna Camacho, girlboxing, Iesha Kenney, inspiration, inspirational, Jajaira Gonzalez, Jamie Mitchell, Lisa Porter, Marlen Esparza, Melanie Costa, Mikaela Mayer, Naomi Graham, Raquel Miller, Rianna Rios, Rio 2016, Samantha Kinchen, Sarah Deming, Stalacia Leggett, Tiara Brown, Tika Hemingway, USA Boxing, Virginia Fuchs, women’s boxing, Women’s Boxing Olympic Trials, Women’s Olympic Boxing Girlboxing! The wit and wisdom of the ring!

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